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Half-Day Kyoto Private Tour Made Just for You !!

Gion stroll

Calling all the Seafood Lovers!

Fushimi Inari

Dragons of the Void

You’ll even get to meet the famous okami

Your Best 4 Hours in Kyoto!

Nishiki Market has so many items to try

Smiles all day on this fun tour!

Gion stroll

Nishiki Market

The Ultimate Japanese Omlet

Half-Day Kyoto Private Tour Made Just for You !!

Highlights

Joined 2025

Nikki K.

5.00 / 5

(12 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Kyoto

English, Japanese (Native)

4 hours

Private tour (only you and Nikki K.)

Up to 6 people

This is a special private tour that can be fully customized to your interests — from UNESCO World Heritage sites to hidden gems loved by locals.

I’ll take you to Kyoto’s special spots, sharing local tips and warm hospitality along the way.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

08:00 AM

Meeting Point

Meet at Kyoto Station

- For the most time efficient start, I recommend meeting at Kyoto Station (Central Exit). But if you prefer, I can also meet you at your hotel. Please note that pick-up may not be possible from some hotels depending on their location.

08:30 AM

Fushimi-Inari Taisha

One of Kyoto’s most iconic shrines, famous for its thousands of red torii gates winding through the forest. Dedicated to the god of prosperity, it's a beautiful and spiritual place to explore on foot.

09:50 AM

Gion -The heart of Kyoto’s Geisha(Maiko) Culture

I’ll share the fascinating and little-known world of geisha culture — including the differences between maiko (apprentice) and geiko (fully trained geisha) — in an engaging and easy-to-understand way.

10:20 AM

Kyoto's oldest Zen Temple - Under the Gaze of the Twin Dragons

Kennin-ji is known for its calm atmosphere and stunning artwork. One highlight is the dramatic twin dragon ceiling painting, a powerful modern masterpiece that seems to come alive as you gaze up from the main hall.

11:10 AM

Nishiki Market-Kyoto’s Colorful Kitchen and Shopping Paradise

Nicknamed “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” Nishiki Market is a lively, historic arcade packed with local eats, sweets, and traditional ingredients.

Beyond the food, nearby streets offer crafts, souvenirs, and trendy shops—perfect for strolling, tasting, and shopping all at once.

Ending Point

Tour ends at Nishiki Market

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

Guide Fee

What‘s not included

Public transportation fees (from 370 yen per person).

Temple＆Shrine entrance fees(800 yen per person)

Meals or refreshments during the tour

or any other personal expenses are not included.

**At many sites,my official Guide license allows me to enter free of charge.

Tour Important Information

* This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

* This tour is not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.

* This tour is wheelchair accessible.

* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.

Important message from the supplier

My days off vary each week, so I can't specify a fixed day I'm available, but I'm flexible and can adjust to your request.

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Joined 2025

Nikki K.

5.00 / 5

(12 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Nikki K.

I'm a Certified English Interpreter Guide accredited by Kyoto, Uji, and Otsu cities — top performer in Kyoto's official training program and selected for Japan’s elite government project for VIP luxury travel.

Having lived in 7 countries for 30 years — including 9 years in the U.S. (California, New York, and Texas) — I bring a truly global perspective and deep cultural understanding to every tour.

A descendant of Hijikata Toshizo, one of Japan’s legendary “last samurai,” I was raised with a strong appreciation for history and the bushido spirit.

Before becoming a guide in Japan, I worked as a licensed NYC tour guide, British Airline flight attendant, medical interpreter, and TV reporter — all roles focused on connecting with people and sharing cultures.

I love showing my guests not only Japan’s must-see landmarks but also hidden local gems off the beaten path.

I mainly guide in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Uji, and Tokyo upon request.

From fun street food adventures to refined cultural and luxury experiences, I design each private tour to match your interests and create unforgettable moments that last a lifetime.

I look forward to welcoming you and sharing the true heart of Japan!

Reviews

Bill K.

5 / 5

Jan 15, 2026

Osaka’s Top Must-See Spots in One Perfect Tour

Jan 15, 2026

Osaka

8 hours

“Great (but short) Visit to Osaka”

My wife and I had a 12 hour layover in Osaka and she had never been to Japan, so we wanted a tour guide to show us some highlights. Nikki was wonderful. She met us at the airport, took us to the castle. There was a snag on the railroad, and having a native to help us navigate that was a big asset. She showed us around town and arranged a traditional tea ceremony. It gave us a great feeling for the area and whetted our appetite for a longer and more thorough visit to the Osaka/Kobe area and Japan in general. I highly recommend Nikki, and would hire her again when we return.

Nikki K.

Thank you very much Bill for your wonderful and generous review. Your kind words mean a great deal to me and are very encouraging. With limited time, I did try my best to plan the day and I’m so happy that you both enjoyed your time in Osaka. It was also perfect timing that we happened to visit the Sumiyoshi shrine on a special festival day—I'm glad that this unexpected moment made your experience even more memorable.I hope you will have the opportunity to return to Japan for a longer stay next time. Look forward to welcoming you both again!

Jessica F.

5 / 5

Dec 26, 2025

Full-Day Kyoto Private Tour!! World Heritage and Local Secrets, Just for You!

Dec 26, 2025

Kyoto

8 hours

“The best of Kyoto customized perfectly for you!”

What can I say? Nikki was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met (and has a great sense of humor)! She is extremely knowledgeable about the history of Tokyo, and helps you navigate the city with ease in order to get the most out of your day. We saw everything we wanted and more: Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Nishiki Market, Kura Sushi conveyor belt restaurant!, Fushimi- inari Shrine and lots of cute shops and street food along the way! I would recommend Nikki to anyone as a tour guide-she felt like a part of our family for the day. Arigato Nikki-San!!

Nikki K.

Thank you so much Jessica for your wonderful review! It truly meant a lot to me. I also had a great time guiding your family, and I especially enjoyed our conversations in the car with your children—they were so curious and genuinely interested in learning about Japanese culture, which made the day even more enjoyable for m!! We covered some of Kyoto’s most recommended highlights in one day, and knowing that the experience became a meaningful and happy memory for you all makes me incredibly grateful. It was so nice to see all of you enjoyed each spot very much and ended the day with special kimono and samurai experiences! I wish you a fantastic remainder of your stay in Japan, filled with many more beautiful memories. Thank you again—it was a pleasure meeting you!!

Helena K.

5 / 5

Dec 6, 2025

Half-Day Kyoto Private Tour Made Just for You !!

Dec 6, 2025

Kyoto

4 hours

“Recommendation 100 % .Mm,Nikki very proffesiona guide ,kind helpful person .”

I would like to remercy Giud Mm Nikki for excellent time I spend in Kuoto ,she is very kind ,helpful,and proffesional guid 100% im recommend .I have good explanation of history ,tradition ,culture. Very much enjoying time and tour spend together , She took beautiful picture of me and all my places i want .She did picture like a proffesional photograph. ,she has good patience and understanding of people need in new places . Very much enjoy time with my giud and time in Kyoto .I strongly recommend. in future I book for sure same giud for Osake .I'm feelt in live with Japan and people .Big Thanks Sincerely Elena Kovalevskaya Canada Ottawa

Nikki K.

Thank you so much Helena for leaving such a wonderful review. I know you spent many years planning your trip to Japan and finally came here on your first journey. Being able to guide you on such a special visit truly meant a lot to me. I did my very best to create a tour that you would enjoy, and seeing how deeply moved you were at Fushimi Inari Shrine made me incredibly happy. At Nijo Castle, you asked so many thoughtful questions about history, and I could feel how much you were enjoying every moment of Kyoto. Guiding you was a real pleasure, and seeing you experience Japan with such curiosity and enthusiasm was inspiring.I’m already looking forward to welcoming you back again. Next time, I would love to show you Osaka and many more wonderful places throughout Japan!